Hoda Kotb Will Officially Replace Matt Lauer as ‘Today’ Co-Host

It took the whole of December, but NBC has finally named a new Today host to replace Matt Lauer. Hoda Kotb will permanently take over the co-hosting slot alongside Savannah Guthrie, having filled in for Lauer after the disgraced anchor was let go over sexual harassment charges.

Guthrie confirmed the news on Today’s Tuesday broadcast, calling the move “the most popular decision that NBC News has ever made.” Kotb had been working on NBC’s morning news show in a temporary role since Lauer was fired in November. The network had swiftly moved to distance himself from Lauer once word broke of an imminent Variety story detailing a history of inappropriate behavior, explicit advances and exposing himself to women. Watch the announcement below:

NBC news chairman Andrew Lack said Kotb “seamlessly stepped” into the position and “quickly hit the ground running,” offering that she and Guthrie “have an undeniable connection with each other and most importantly, with viewers, a hallmark of Today.” Kotb has co-hosted the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford since 2008, and will evidently continue in that capacity.

Kotb and Guthrie’s official tenure also marks the rare morning news pairing of two female co-anchors in a national broadcast, as the NBC announcement compared with Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts’ Good Morning America run from 2006-2009. Stay tuned for the latest on Today in the meantime.